Instructions On How To Make
Tennis Ball Launcher
Tools Needed:
1/4" & 1/8" pipe tap
5/16" & 7/16" drill bits
Drill
Saw
Rubber Mallet
Tape Measure
Adjustable Wrench
Materials Needed"
4' or 5' of 2.5" Sch 40 PVC
5' of 3" Sch 40 PVC
2 end caps 3" Sch 40
2 couplers 3" Sch 40
2 reducing bushings 3" to 1.5" Sch 40
4 reducing bushings 1.5" to 1" Sch 40
4 male adapters 1" Sch 40
2 street elbows 1.5" Sch 40
1 tee 1.5" Sch 40
1 90 degree 1.5" elbow Sch 40
1 reducing bushing 1" to 1.5" Sch 40
1 reducing bushing 2" to 1.5" Sch 40
1 reducing bushing 2.5" to 2" Sch 40
1 coupler 2.5" Sch 40
1 Schrader valve 1/8"
1 pressure gauge 0-160 psi
4 hose adapters 1/4" NPT
4 barbed elbow hose adapters 1/4" NPT
1 brass tee 1/4" NPT
8 hose steel clamps 1/4"
2 Orbit Watermaster Automatic In-Line Sprinkler Valves
Air Hose 1/4" i.d. 1/2" o.d.
PVC cement and primer
Scrap 1" and 1.5" Sch 40 PVC
Teflon tape
J. B. Weld
Multipurpose plastic ties (found in most electrical sections)
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN!!
| 1. | The first step is to cut your 3" sch 40 PVC into two 2.5' pieces. Make sure all the ends are smoothed out. | |
| 2. | These next steps are going to be for making the 3" air chambers. Take one of your 3" couplers and coat the inside of half with the primer, then do the same to one of the ends of the 3" PVC, just enough for the coupler to fit over. Take the PVC cement and cover the areas that were just primed (coupler and 3" PVC). Now quickly push the coupler over 3" PVC and push it until it stops. Now give the coupler a slight twist to make sure the cements seals to the PVC Take the rubber mallet and give it a couple of hits until its nice and stuck. Now repeat this with the second piece of 3" PVC | |
| 3. | Take the 3" to 1.5" reducing coupler and prime the bottom half, then prime the other half of the 3" coupler. Take take the PVC cement and cover the bottom half of the 3" to 1.5" reducer and do the same to the top half of the 3" coupler. Now quickly insert the reducer into the coupler. Push down for a few seconds to make sure the glue sets. Take the rubber mallet and give it a few hits to make sure it all the way to the bottom. Repeat these sets for the other 3" PVC | |
| 4. | Take two of the 1" male adapters and some scrap 1" sch 40 PVC Measure the inside of the 1" male adapter and the inside of the reducer (side where there 1" PVC would fit). This should be just less than 2.5" give or take. Cut two pieces that equal that equal that length. These scrap pieces will be used to help attach the air chambers to the sprinkler valves. | |
| 5. | Now that you have two pieces cut. Take one of the 1" PVC cuts and prime one half of it. Now prime the inside of one of the 1" male adapter. Take the PVC cement and put it inside the male adapter and around the 1" PVC you just primed. Now quickly insert the 1" PVC into the 1" male adapter. Take the rubber mallet and give it a couple of hits to make sure the 1" PVC is to the bottom of the male adapter. Now do this with the remaining piece of 1" PVC and the other male adapter. | |
| 6. | Now take 2 of the 1.5" to 1" reducers. Prime the inside of the reducer and the other half of the 1" PVC you just glued in to the male adapter. Once this is done, take your cement and apply the cement into the reducer and to the remaining half of the 1" PVC Now quickly put the 1" side into the reducer and give it a couple of hits with the mallet to make sure the pieces are set. Do this to the remaining coupler. | |
| 7. | Now you should basically have a male adapter sitting on top of a 1.5" to 1" reducer. This part is going to be cemented into the 3" to 1.5" reducer you just glued. First prime the bottom half of the 1.5" reducer and the inside of the 3" to 1.5" reducer. Once this is done, apply your cement to the two parts you just primed. Quickly put the 1.5" reducer into the reducer connected to the 3" PVC Give the male adapter a couple of hits with the rubber mallet to make sure everything is set. Now repeat these steps to the other chamber. | |
| 8. | Now the air chambers are almost complete. Take one of the end caps and prime the inside walls, do the same to the other end of the 3" PVC just enough for the cap to fit over. Take the PVC cement and apply to the inside of the cap and to the 3" PVC you just primed. Quickly push the end cap to the end of the 3" PVC Hold down the end cap for 20 seconds or so to make sure the cap is secure. Do the same with the other end cap. You have just finished the two air chambers. =) | |
| 9. | Now we start work on the Tee set up. Take one of your 1.5" street elbows and prime smaller end that can fit inside of the 1.5" tee, also prime one of he sides of the tee. Once this is done, put the cement on both places you just primed. Now quickly push the elbow into the tee. Make sure the elbow is level and straight. Now do this with the other street elbow. | |
| 10. | For this step, you'll need 1 of the 1.5" reducers and 1 male thread adapter. Remember back in step 4 when you measured the insides of the adapter and the reducer. You should do the same here, cut two pieces the same length. | |
| 11. | Now that you have the two pieces cut, take one of the 1" PVC cuts and prime half of it, then prime the inside of one of the 1.5" to 1" reducers. Now put the cement on both of the areas just primed. Quickly put the 1" PVC into the reducer. Take the rubber mallet and give it a couple of hits on the 1" PVC to make sure everything sets. Now do these same steps for the remaining 1" PVC cut and 1.5" to 1" reducer. | |
| 12. | Now pick up one of the pieces you just cemented and primed. Take your primer and all the the primer to the other half of the 1" PVC and to the inside of one of the male adapters. Apply the cement to both primed areas and push the pieces together. Take the rubber mallet and give it a couple of hits to make sure everything is set in place. Do this with the last male adapter. Take one of these complete pieces and prime the inside of the street elbow and the end of the reducer you just put together. Apply the PVC cement to both of these primed areas and push the reducer into the street elbow. Hold for 20 seconds to make sure the joints properly sets. Do this to the other side. | |
| 13. | Now for the barrel assembly. Take the 2.5" coupler and prime the inside of half the coupler and the prime the end of the 2.5" PVC just enough for the coupler to cover. When this is done, apply the PVC cement to the two areas just primed and push the 2.5" coupler down over the 2.5" PVC Give the coupler a little twist and hit the top with the rubber mallet to make sure everything is set. | |
| 14. | Take the 2.5" to 2" bushing and prime the bottom end and the other half of the 2.5" coupler. Apply the cement to both primed areas and put the busing into the 2.5" coupler. Hit the top with the rubber mallet to insure there is a nice tight fit. | |
| 15. | There should be one reducer left. The 2" to 1.5" reducer. Take this and prime the bottom half of it, as well as the inside part of the reducer that is connected to the barrel itself. Now apply the cement to both of the areas just primed. Quickly push the two pieces together and hold for a few to allow the fittings to set. | |
| 16. | There should now only be 1 standard elbow left. Take the tape measure and measure the inside of the elbow just to where the stop line is. Now measure the inside of the reducer that is connected to the barrel. Cut a piece of 1.5" PVC to that length. Prime one half of the 1.5" PVC and prime the inside of one end of the elbow. Apply the cement to both primed areas and push the 1.5" PVC into the elbow. Hold for a few seconds so the glue can set. | |
| 17. | Apply primer to the other half of the 1.5" PVC and to the inside of the 2" to 1.5" reducer that is connected to the barrel. Apply the PVC cement to the two primed areas and quickly push the two pieces together. Hold and push tightly for 20 seconds to allow the fittings to set. | |
| 18. | Take your tape measure and measure the inside of the 1.5" tee just to the stop line. Now measure the inside of the bottom half of the 1.5" elbow the barrel is attached to. Cut a piece of 1.5" PVC to that size. This will be used to connect the barrel to the tee. Apply primer to half of the 1.5" PVC cut and to the 1.5" elbow. Apply cement to both of the primed areas and quickly push together. Hold tightly for 20 seconds to allow the cement to set. The barrel is now complete. Set this to the side, you'll attach this last. | |
| 19. | Modify your two 1" watermaster sprinkler valves. If you don't know how, go here. | |
| 20. | Allow all fitting to sit over night before you go to the next steps. | |
| 21. | Now that everything is set. Take some Teflon tape and wrap it 6 or 7 times around the bale threads on the tee. Take on of your modified sprinkler valves and screw it into the male thread. Make sure the arrow are pointing in the right direction. Make sure the valve is nice and tight. Make sure the barbed elbow is on top. Do this with your other sprinkler valve. | |
| 22. | Use the Teflon tape around the air chambers. Wrap it around 6 or 7 times also. Now screw the air chambers into the sprinkler valves. Don't screw them completely tight. Leave about a 1/4 turn left. You'll have to do some drilling before you completely tighten them up. | |
| 23. | Take your 7/16 drill bit and drill a hole on the side of the end cap. This is going to be used to connect the two chambers. Now uses your 1/4" NPT tap to thread the hole. Take one of the 1/4" hose adapters and put Teflon tape around the threads. 6 or 7 times around should do. Now screw that into the hole you just threaded in the the air chamber. Use and adjustable wrench to make sure the adapter is in securely. Do not over tighten. Repeat this on the other side. Now fully tighten the air chambers. When you are done tightening the air chambers, the two hose adapters should be facing each other. Cut a little piece of air hose the exact distance between the adapters and use the hose clamps to secure them in place. | |
| 24. | Take your 1/4" brass tee and the last 2 barbed elbow hose adapters. Put Teflon tape around the threads and thread them into the two sides of the brass tee. Take one 1/4" hose adapter and put Teflon tape on those threads as well. Screw that one piece into the bottom end of the brass tee. Use an adjustable wrench to make sure things are tight an secure. | |
| 25. | You are now going to attach your brass tee the the modified sprinkler valves. Determine the proper distance you want to set the tee and cut two pieces of hose the same size. Attach all 4 ends with hose clamps and make sure they are nice and tight. | |
| 26. | Take your last 1/4" hose adapter and wrap Teflon tape around it. Screw that into your blowgun. Determine the proper length you want this trigger to be and cut one last piece of air hose. Attach this hose to the end of the brass tee and the blow gun. Use the last two hose clamps to tighten the hoses down. | |
| 27. | Now you are go tap the pressure gauge and Schrader valve in place. Put on of the attachments on each side. Doesn't matter, you pick. For the Schrader valve use a 5/16 drill bit first then tap with the 1/8" NPT tap, for the pressure gauge use the 7/16 drill bit and tap with the 1/4" NPT tap. Make sure you read the side of the tap before you drill. Each manufacturer is different. | |
| 28. | Hopefully you have about 7" of your 1" PVC left. Cut this piece and set it on top of the air chambers. You want this to brush up against the end caps. This will be used to hold the barrel in place when you are gluing it down. | |
| 29. | Pick up the barrel and apply primer to the piece of 1.5" PVC hanging from the elbow.. Now prime the inside of the 1.5" tee. Apply the cement to both of the primed areas. Quickly push the barrel into the tee. Push down hard until it can't go any farther down. Hold for about 20 seconds to make sure the barrel doesn't pop back up. The end of the barrel should sit on that piece of 7" PVC you cut out. This should make the barrel sit even. If not, just add something under it so it can dry level. | |
| 30. | Let the barrel dry over night and you'll be ready to test in the morning. | |
| 31. | Hopefully you were able to find large ties, if not, just use more than one. If you have access to some wood cutting tools, you can make your supports from wood, but if you you can just use the 7" PVC you cut out the other day. If you have extra just cut another piece and put it near the end of the barrel. Use the plastic ties and wrap it around the entire launcher. (two chambers and barrel. Its best to do two for each support if you are using the PVC as support. Put one in front and one behind. You want to make sure that these supports don't slide out while shooting. | |
| 32. | You are done!!!!!! Happy Shooting!! Be safe. | |
| If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me!! You can find my info on my Contact me page. | ||